Asiago — Cortina: 4:3, Alps Hockey League

Asiago played host to Cortina in the Alpine Hockey League on 26 September, and the match ended 3:3. The result leaves the hosts in second place after three games, while Cortina remain at the bottom after their first outing. We had backed the home side with 70 per cent confidence, but the game refused to follow that script.

The home side came out sharper early on, and the crowd roared them on. Cortina, still finding their feet, looked to hit on the break. By then the visitors had already tasted defeat once, and they were determined not to repeat it.

Asiago took the lead and held it for a while, but Cortina came back. The visitors equalised before the break, and the momentum shifted. And here's the thing — the away side had nothing to lose, and they played accordingly.

The second half saw both teams trading blows. Goals came at different intervals, and neither keeper was asked to make a save that would be remembered. Cortina scored late to salvage a point, and the result felt earned rather than gifted.

Asiago sit second with two wins and one loss. Cortina are thirteenth, one defeat to their name. The gap in the table remains wide, but today the points were shared.